DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4651#0115
IN THE BURMIIAN EMPIRE.
105
side of the steps, are erecting two colossal figures
of lions, or rather sphinxes, in positions rather
couchant than rampant. They are of brick ma-
sonry, and seated on pedestals of the same
materials; the surface of the pedestals are about
two cubits above the level of the terrace, and the
height of the figures from the surface of the table
to the crown of their heads is fifty-eight cubits;
making altogether sixty Burmhan cubits of nine-
teen inches each, or ninety-five English feet. The
body and limbs are of proportionate magnitude,
according to the Burmhan ideas of sculpture;
the eyes and teeth are of alabaster, the eye-ball,
which we had an opportunity of measuring, was
thirteen feet in circumference. The northernmost
figure is finished to the plastering and ornamental
parts, the sockets for the eye-balls are left vacant,
and to place the eye-balls in them will require
some exertions of mechanical ingenuity, which I
should like to see. There are six terraces rising
above each other, their parapet walls equidistant,
and revetements of the faces of each of good
brick masonry, with stone spouts ornamented
with sculptured alligators' heads, to carry off the
water. Above these is a seventh terrace, on which
is the plinth of the pagoda, and the eighth ter-
race is formed by the upper surface of the plinth.
The seven lower terraces have not been wholly
formed by art, but advantage taken of a little
105
side of the steps, are erecting two colossal figures
of lions, or rather sphinxes, in positions rather
couchant than rampant. They are of brick ma-
sonry, and seated on pedestals of the same
materials; the surface of the pedestals are about
two cubits above the level of the terrace, and the
height of the figures from the surface of the table
to the crown of their heads is fifty-eight cubits;
making altogether sixty Burmhan cubits of nine-
teen inches each, or ninety-five English feet. The
body and limbs are of proportionate magnitude,
according to the Burmhan ideas of sculpture;
the eyes and teeth are of alabaster, the eye-ball,
which we had an opportunity of measuring, was
thirteen feet in circumference. The northernmost
figure is finished to the plastering and ornamental
parts, the sockets for the eye-balls are left vacant,
and to place the eye-balls in them will require
some exertions of mechanical ingenuity, which I
should like to see. There are six terraces rising
above each other, their parapet walls equidistant,
and revetements of the faces of each of good
brick masonry, with stone spouts ornamented
with sculptured alligators' heads, to carry off the
water. Above these is a seventh terrace, on which
is the plinth of the pagoda, and the eighth ter-
race is formed by the upper surface of the plinth.
The seven lower terraces have not been wholly
formed by art, but advantage taken of a little